Thirty-six utility Environmental Champions were announced today by Cogent Reports™, the syndicated research division of Market Strategies International. The list includes the top 3 ranked electric, natural gas and combination providers in four regions across the United States, and the results are based on over 25,000 consumer performance ratings for 125 leading utilities nationwide.
The Environmental Champions were determined based on Environmental Dedication scores and rankings that reflect the extent to which consumers believe providers are supporting environmental causes, committed to environmentally friendly energy sources, encouraging green initiatives and offering tools to help consumers save energy. This is the second year Cogent Reports has computed Environmental Dedication scores for individual utilities and recognized Environmental Championsin its Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement™ study, a report that also measures Brand Trust, Operational Satisfaction and Product Engagement, and overall Customer Engagement.
¡°These Environmental Champions are setting an example for peers in the industry on environmental dedication. This designation reflects a commitment to prioritizing environmental initiatives and serves as a reward from their customers for doing so,¡± said Chris Oberle, senior vice president at Market Strategies International. ¡°We believe expanding the management of environmental efforts, improving outreach on environmental causes, and communication of renewable strategies will become increasingly important as utilities position themselves to effectively implement clean power initiatives.¡±
Solar conversion is one example of the many types of environmental programs utilities are now offering. Driven by the Obama administration¡¯s Clean Power Plan (CPP) and individual state renewable power initiatives, solar power is front and center for electric utilities. According to Cogent Reports, consumer interest in using solar energy is high (over 40%). However, captured demand for solar products is low (about 7%) and only an additional 3% of customers expect to use solar options any time soon.
¡°Utilities need to leverage consumer interest in solar by educating customers on the features and benefits of these programs,¡± continued Oberle. ¡°In addition, we know from our Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement study that a critical step leading to increased program adoption¡ªwhether solar conversion, weatherization or other environmental initiatives¡ªis to establish trust with customers. The data tell us that only utilities with strong brands have customer support for their environmental efforts and programs.¡±
